TEACHER training colleges and the standard of primary school teacher qualifications were severely criticised by INTO delegates at their annual congress yesterday.
"The National Teachers' diploma and the BEd degree are only `Mickey Mouse' qualifications, conferred on child minders, to equip them to do a job that practically any unqualified person could do just as well," said Mr Noel Brennan, of the Dungarvan branch. "This seems to be the perception of the universities. And we contribute to the devaluation of ourselves by continuing to accept that non teachers can do our work. The university perception is that the HA, BSc etc are real degrees, more academic, conferred on clever people and followed by a higher diploma in education."
He said his secondary brethren would not allow primary teachers, with their BEd, work in their hallowed halls. A primary teacher wishing to transfer to second level had to take another degree a real degree and then grovel to get on this "marvellous HDip course Mr Brennan said they had been in the shadow of both third and second level for too long. "We must push for a four year BEd with two academic subjects.
We should promote a four year BEd as a training qualification of excellence, to suitably equip teachers for both primary and secondary teaching," he added.
Speaking in favour of a motion calling for a four year BEd, Ms Mairin Ni Cheileachair, Tallaght branch, said primary teachers should have a greater role to play in the teaching practice situation.
The motion, which was carried unanimously, also calls for an extension of teaching practice for student teachers.
Ms Ni Cheileachair said primary teachers should have a greater role to play in the teaching practice situation. "It should not be left to dinosaurs resident in the ivory towers of colleges of education."
Mr Peter Mullan, of the education committee, said one of the foremost challenges facing the teaching profession centred on the reform of initial teacher education and the development of career long learning.
"This will only be achieved through a focus on the creation of genuine and implementable partnerships between teachers and teacher educators, between the profession and the colleges of education," he said.
Mr Mullan said INTO research showed that many practising primary teachers were less than satisfied with their initial teacher education.
"Some teachers stated that their education was overly theoretical to the neglect of the practical, that it did not adequately prepare [teachers] for dealing with parents and that little attempt was made to study the problems associated with teaching, such as isolation, stress, burn out, effects of discipline problems, time management, communication skills and interpersonal relationships, particularly those between teacher and principal," he told the congress.
The lack of coherence in Government policy in the area of teacher education was a cause of concern to the members of the teaching profession, said Mr Mullan. There was an abysmal lack of forward planning with regard to the question of teacher supply.
